Iran begins expansive annual war games amid tensions with US

Commander of exercise dubbed Zolfaghar-99 says it is aimed at ‘improving readiness in confronting foreign threats and any possible invasion’; said to involve drones, submarines AgenciesToday, 12:28 pm Iran’s military Thursday began an expansive annual three-day exercise near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, state TV reported, with the maneuvers taking place amid heightened tensions between […]

Kushner: Our plan is bid to save 2-state solution; Israel was eating up the land

Trump adviser warns Palestinians that if they continue to reject Trump peace proposal ‘the situation is just going to get worse and worse for them’; says US won’t ‘chase’ Ramallah Jacob MagidToday, 3:41 am NEW YORK — Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner said on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s peace plan is an attempt […]

Hamas-Hezbollah talks and Iran-Turkey cooperation come at a crucial time

The recent meeting in Beirut between Hamas and Hezbollah leadership where the threats to the Palestinian cause and normalisation between Israel and Arab states were discussed is the latest sign that the two resistance movements have revived relations. The reconciliation between the Hamas and Hezbollah has been in the works over the past seven years, […]

Turkey and Iran seek ‘strong foundation’ for partnership – analysis

Turkish pro-government media: High level cooperation with Iran expected SETH J. FRANTZMAN SEPTEMBER 8, 2020 17:25 Iranian President Hassan Rouhani spoke with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency described the discussions, via video, as working to form the “strong foundation” for future work. Turkish pro-government media characterized the discussions […]

Former Lebanese minister: Israel not plotting against Lebanon, wants peace

In an interview with Arabic-language television, Sejaan Azzi says Jerusalem has no plans to take over Lebanese land, cites normalization with UAE as proof of its good intentions By TOI staff Today, 8:24 am   A former Lebanese minister has said Israel does not aspire to annex Lebanese territory and that the Jewish state wants […]

Arab League rejects Palestinian demand to condemn Israel-UAE deal

Arab League rejects Palestinian demand to condemn Israel-UAE deal The Arab league’s refusal to endorse the draft resolution is considered a severe blow to the Palestinians. By KHALED ABU TOAMEH SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 20:54 The Arab League on Wednesday refused to endorse a Palestinian draft resolution condemning the United Arab Emirates for its normalization agreement […]

Kushner: Saudi Arabia agreed to open its airspace to all flights from Israel

“Countries starting to let go of old conflicts and move in the direction of peace,” declared Kushner. OMRI NAHMIAS SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 00:16 Saudi Arabia agreed to open their airspace, not just to flights from Israel to the United Arab Emirates and back, but to all eastward travel, says Jared Kushner, President Trump’s senior adviser. […]

Iran prepares new naval drill

This new drill comes on the heels of increased military activity in Iran designed to show the US and the Gulf states that Iran has improved its precision weapons and drones. SETH J. FRANTZMAN SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 10:17 Iran is preparing a new exercise that will involve the navy, army and air force. It will […]

Trump to announce US troop withdrawals from Iraq, Afghanistan

US president tells Iraqi PM al-Kadhemi American soldiers will leave Iraq, but gives no timetable AFPToday, 9:15 am US President Donald Trump will announce further troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan in the next few days, a senior administration official said Tuesday. The official told reporters traveling with the president to expect an announcement Wednesday […]

Emerging warmth of Turkey-Iran relationship shows myth of ‘Sunni vs Shia’

Iran and Turkey ostensibly back different sides in Syria, but in recent years they have grown closer due to joint opposition to the US and also Israel. Iran and Turkey both back Hamas, for instance. By SETH J. FRANTZMAN SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 10:06 President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Hassan Rouhani of Iran and Tayyip Erdogan of […]

WATCH: Senior Iranian official says UAE, Saudi Arabia now in the cross hairs

September 9, 2020 https://youtu.be/4yx1maTbGbA The UAE and Saudi Arabia will bear the brunt of any retaliation against “any incident – covert or overt” carried out by the Zionists, said Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, former Iranian deputy foreign minister. The interview was aired on Iran’s Arabic language Al-Alam TV on September 6.

US envoy reports progress on Israel-Lebanon maritime border talks

Territorial dispute centers on offshore oil and gas drilling rights in part of Mediterranean claimed by both countries By AFP 9 September 2020, 12:54 am BEIRUT, Lebanon — A US envoy said Tuesday that he hoped to sign a framework agreement in the coming weeks for Lebanon and Israel to start discussing their disputed maritime […]

Italy’s premier urges Lebanon to form cabinet, start reforms

Italy’s prime minister said on Tuesday his country will support Lebanon’s economic and social growth, expressing hopes that a new government is formed quickly – one that would start the reconstruction process in the wake of last month’s Beirut explosion and implement badly needed reforms. Giuseppe Conte is the latest senior foreign official to visit […]